Future Generations Children’s Center
Story and Photos by: Rebecca Simons
|
Toddlers surround their teacher as they take part in group learning exercises.
|
As many parents know, finding a dependable and trustworthy child care facility is not an overnight or easy task and preschools in rural areas are few. Through an unfavorable experience with their youngest daughter’s care giver, Leanna and Mark Law, Owners and Director of Future Generations Children’s Center, know the importance of this task first hand. Though she initially didn’t want to be responsible for other people’s children, Leanna knew that she could provide much better child care then what she had encountered. Formerly from the retail industry, Leanna continued to work while she went to school taking Early Childhood Education classes to prepare her for more than a business adventure, but a safe, loving child care center and well rounded learning environment. The search for a place to establish their daycare business brought them to one that was already open, running and state approved and ideally located right across from an elementary school. It needed work to bring it up to Mark and Leanna’s standards but four years ago Future Generations Children’s Center, located at 10013 W. Charles Road in Nine Mile Falls, was purchased and the Laws haven’t looked back. The Future Generations of old was given an overhaul. An air conditioner was a top priority that first year along with setting up organized learning stations, establishing curriculum and fixing the center inside and out to provide the safe environment that they were looking for their own daughter. The previous owner had a few nautical items here and there, but the Laws established a Lighthouse theme throughout to remind them God is the Light in this Christian ran center. The interior is not the only updating that took place, the play yard includes the ‘Seaside café’ stocked with pretend grocery items and menus for creative role play. Installation of additional playground equipment and a sensory waterfall was added with different textures for the children to experience while safely developing their senses.
|
Set up with learning Stations children are allowed to chose their interests as this young man chose to working on learning letters in sign language.
|
State licensed to service 80 children ages 1-12, Leanna and Mark have higher then state minimum requirements for their staff. The staff at Future Generations are all required to have Early Childhood Education in addition to continued education through STARS (State Training and Registry System) required by the State of Washington to maintain state licensing. Future Generations is not just a babysitting facility, the center offers a full service 3 day part-time or 5 day full-time preschool available at Monday through Friday 9:00 – 11:30. Children not enrolled in Future Generations for child care are welcome. Call the center to sign up and be added to the list for the upcoming school year. To assure a healthy diet the center is linked with the USDA Food Program.
|
Children filter through learning activities including art in smaller groups for individualized attention.
|
Future Generations Children’s Learning Center’s main facility houses the toddlers, and pre-school aged children. Across the street, the NMF Elementary schools’ cafeteria space is leased year around to provide before and after school care and all day summer care for school aged children. This arrangement provides a safer and age appropriate environment for all the children, and allows for broader creativity and more focused learning with homework assistance for the older children. During the school year bus transportation from Lake Spokane Elementary school is provided by Western States bus transportation, the same company that services the Nine Mile Falls School District. Even during the summer months, field trip transportation is provided by Western States.
|
Fun activities at Future Generations are planned and well supervised, like bobbing for apples on a hot day.
|
With the expected delivery of their first grandchild, THE FUTURE GENERATIONS CHILDREN'S CENTER WILL BE EXPANDING! This expansion will create an additional approximately 1500 sq. ft. for an infant room and separate toddler room. A WAITING LIST FOR INFANTS UNDER A YEAR OLD IS NOW FORMING! This expansion will also allow space for additional children in all age groups and additional teacher positions. Watch for our ground breaking announcements in the near future!
A Member of the Lake Spokane Chamber of Commerce, Future Generations Children’s Center is here for your child care needs. There are spaces available in current classes. And for those of you with infants, get your name on the list now! 466-0154
|
